WHISPERS OF A BUTTERFLY • Kamisato Ayato

eleven. 十一

A/N: Whispers of A Butterfly is already complete on AO3. If you'd like to read the full fic, you can check that out on my page. I'm only uploading the rest on Wattpad for formality purposes.

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The whole party was hoping for a letter from Chisato the next morning, but the post came in without bringing a single line from her. You were forced to conclude that she had already done the ceremony, but even of that, you would have been glad to be certain.

All Kanjou Commission clans strove to tarnish the reputation of Kujou Kamaji. You spoke with a maroon-haired detective, who introduced himself as Heizou, who winked at you before saying that he'd find your cousin in no time. He'd even get the Traveler to accompany him on his quest. And you sat, stone-faced, in-between meetings with Kujou Sara, demanding retribution from the Tenryou Commission for their head's actions.

If nothing worked, then Chisato had successfully forced you into taking her place as the heir. Though you tried not to, your mind began thinking of ways you could lie to the Inazuman press about her falling ill, hence your ascension.

To Inazuma, your current domestic situation would be a perplexing one. This was certainly not how anyone would have imagined your life to be. You were the forgotten princess, the shadow of Chisato. You were raised to be the chatelaine of a great house. Your head housekeeper should be anticipating every one of your needs, while you dressed up to go out with your powerful and influential husband to any one of the exclusive parties being thrown around the country that night. You weren't supposed to be the "harsh" one, as Chisato had described you, but you always confounded everyone's expectations.

"Mother, how will I tell Ayato?" you asked, as your mother helped herself to expensive Liyue tea after claiming it calmed her nerves.

Your mother threw you a perplexed look. "About what?"

"About the engagement," you said, starting to take off your ring. Now that you were teetering on the tightrope of not marrying, the band Ayato had given you suddenly seemed a lot more precious. "We're calling it off, aren't we?"

Your mother looked horrified and forced the ring back on your finger. "Celestia, no," she said. "You'll be ruined. I will not have my daughter thrown to the dogs because of Chisato's impulses."

"And Ayato will be rather upset, will he not?" added your father as he strode into the room. He was dressed in robes, businesslike and grave. "Continue your wedding as usual. The Kanjou Commission will be responsible for finding Chisato."

"It's frowned upon, but it's not uncommon for nobility to elope," sighed your mother, fixing your hair. "You are a good daughter, F/N. You are not like Chisato, or her father."

"And if she's already married?" you asked. There was something desperate in your voice. It unnerved you. "What then?"

Your parents shared a dark look. "Well, maybe it is best you brace yourself, dear."

Days later, you were kicked out of Ritou again, again, again, to do your duties as a bride. Your instructions were to pretend everything was alright.

You had chosen to dress simple, or at least as simple as an aristocrat could dress, because the people of Inazuma City did double takes when you strode past with sapphires hanging from your ears and a well-tailored silk belt wrapped around your waist. By your people's standards, this was hardly flashy. Drawing attention to yourself right now would be a bad move.

"Aren't these the most intricately detailed bracelets you've ever seen? They were inspired by the botanical gardens in Sumeru. Speaking of jewelry, did you like the wedding rings your fiancé bought for you?"